In a quiet corner of an exhibition hall in Xiamen, a faded blue binder tells a story of transformation. Containing 300 meticulously preserved pages, this binder holds the city’s economic and social development strategy from 1985 to 2000—pages that a young Xi Jinping helped draft four decades ago.
During a 2024 visit to the coastal city in southeast China’s Fujian Province, President Xi Jinping paused at the binder, his fingers tracing the yellowed pages. “We planted seeds here,” he said. “Today’s harvest surpasses our expectations.”
A Vision Beyond the Horizon
In 1985, at just 32 years old, Xi Jinping became the vice mayor of Xiamen. The city faced uncertainties as the central government expanded the Xiamen Special Economic Zone from 2.5 to 131 square kilometers. How could a modest port city become a global harbor while preserving its unique charm?
Amid divided opinions—some overly optimistic about replicating Singapore or Hong Kong, others skeptical due to economic limitations—Xi advocated for long-term thinking. “We must think far ahead and see a bigger picture. Acting only for short-term goals leads to inefficiency and strategic drift,” he emphasized in a 1986 meeting.
Under his leadership, Xiamen established an office to draft a 15-year development strategy—a first for a Chinese city at the time. Xi believed that modern economic development demanded foresight and a comprehensive approach.
Collaboration and Public Participation
Recognizing the enormity of the task, Xi led delegations to Beijing to consult with top economists and researchers from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Xiamen University. More than 100 experts and government staff contributed to thematic reports on industry, trade, port logistics, tourism, education, and more.
But it wasn’t just experts who shaped the plan. Xi emphasized the importance of public input. In 1986, a city-wide essay campaign titled “Xiamen in the Year 2000” invited residents to share their ideas. Suggestions poured in from scholars, engineers, civil servants, and workers alike.
Laying the Groundwork for Future Success
The final blueprint positioned Xiamen as a strategic economic center in southern Fujian, a key gateway on China’s southeastern coastline, a bridge for cross-Strait relations, and a hub connecting China with Asia-Pacific economies. It set ambitious goals for port development, industrial modernization, and infrastructure. Today, many of these visions are reality, with the port of Xiamen thriving as a major hub.
In terms of reform policies, Xi encouraged bold steps. He proposed a “three-step” approach: creating bonded zones, expanding to a free trade zone, and eventually developing a quasi-free port. This strategy laid the conceptual groundwork for China’s national free trade zones established decades later.
Pioneering Green Development
Long before “green development” became a national focus, ecological governance was a key theme in Xi’s plan. Yundang Lake, once heavily polluted, became a priority. In 1988, Xi introduced guidelines for lake management, focusing on legal enforcement, sewage treatment, dredging, water flow improvement, and environmental beautification. Over the years, Yundang Lake transformed into one of Xiamen’s most iconic scenic spots.
“Destructive development isn’t always done by the ignorant,” Xi warned in a 1986 government address. “Sometimes it reflects a lack of responsibility or vision.”
Focus on People’s Livelihoods
The plan also prioritized improving livelihoods. Of the six core goals set for 2000, three were directly related to people’s well-being: income growth, enhanced social services, and a healthier environment. Early solutions to integrate urban and rural areas were also proposed.
“In building the city of Xiamen, we have carried on the approach adopted by Xi, and our focus must be on creating places where citizens feel a sense of gain and belonging,” said Li Decai, chief of the city’s housing and development department.
A Legacy That Resonates
The spirit of forward-thinking and public participation that Xi promoted in Xiamen has continued throughout his career. As the general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, he has repeatedly stressed the importance of strategic planning for the nation.
In 2020, while formulating the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), public opinions and suggestions were solicited online. Xi chaired seven symposiums over three months, engaging representatives from various sectors. As China prepares to draft its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), he has emphasized the need for sound, democratic, and law-based decision-making.
“When Xi led the formulation of Xiamen’s development strategy, he upheld an open and forward-looking vision that embraces historical trends,” said Zhang Xingxiang, a professor at Xiamen University’s School of Economics. “This approach offers invaluable insights for current national and local planners in formulating socio-economic development plans for the next five years.”
From a coastal city to the entire nation, the seeds planted decades ago continue to bear fruit, showcasing the lasting impact of visionary leadership.
